Apparatus and method for processing information, and program and medium used therefor

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and a method for processing information, and a program and a program storing medium are disclosed in which a user can surely recognize the change of images when they are operated. Upon detection of an operation, a processing manager applies, every predetermined period, a transition function to an elapsed time from the detection of the operation to compute a ratio of the movement of an image to a distance from the current position of the displayed image to a destination specified by the operation. On the basis of the obtained ratio of the movement of the image, the processing manger specifies a display position of the image toward the destination. A content processing routine controls the display so that the image is displayed at the specified position every predetermined period.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and amethod for processing information, and a program and a program storagemedium used therefor, and particularly to an apparatus and a method forprocessing information for displaying images, and a program and aprogram storage medium used therefor.

[0002] In recent years technologies have been available with personalcomputers for example in which a thumbnail which corresponds to stillpicture or moving picture data is displayed for a personal computer userto select these data by means of the thumbnail to manipulate theselected data.

[0003] However, if the position of a thumbnail changes when it has beenoperated, the user cannot sometimes recognize the change of theposition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to allow theuser to surely recognize the change in images when they are operated.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an information processing apparatus comprising: detection meansfor detecting a first operation; computation means for computing, whenthe detection means has detected the first operation, a ratio ofmovement of a displayed image to a distance from a current position ofan image to a first destination specified by the first operation byapplying, every predetermined period, a transition function to anelapsed time from the detection of the first operation; specificationmeans for specifying a display position of the image toward the firstdestination on the basis of the ratio of movement of the image computedby said computation means; and display control means for controlling thedisplay of the image so that the image is displayed, every predeterminedperiod, at a position specified by said specification means.

[0006] Preferably, if a second operation is detected by the detectionmeans while the image is moving to the first destination, thecomputation means applies, every predetermined period, a transitionfunction to an elapsed time from the detection of the second operationto compute a ratio of the movement of the image to a distance from amoving position of the image at which the second operation has beendetected to a second destination specified by the second operation; andif the second operation is detected by the detection means while theimage is moving to the first destination, the specification meansspecifies a display position of the image toward the second destinationon the basis of the ratio of movement of the image computed by thecomputation means.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an information processing method comprising the steps of:detecting an operation; computing, when the operation has been detectedin the detecting step, a ratio of movement of a displayed image to adistance from a current position of a image to destination specified bythe operation, by applying, every predetermined period, a transitionfunction to an elapsed time from the detection of the operation;specifying a display position of the image toward the destination on thebasis of the ratio of movement of the image computed in the computationstep; and controlling the display of the image so that the image isdisplayed, every predetermined period, at a position specified in thespecification step.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a program storage medium storing a computer-readable programcomprising the steps of: detecting an operation; computing, when theoperation has been detected in the detecting step, a ratio of movementof a displayed image to a distance from a current position of a image todestination specified by the operation, by applying, every predeterminedperiod, a transition function to an elapsed time from the detection ofthe operation; specifying a display position of the image toward thedestination on the basis of the ratio of movement of the image computedin the computation step; and controlling the display of the image sothat the image is displayed, every predetermined period, at a positionspecified in the specification step.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a computer-readable program comprising the steps of: detectingan operation; computing, when the operation has been detected in thedetecting step, a ratio of movement of a displayed image to a distancefrom a current position of a image to destination specified by theoperation, by applying, every predetermined period, a transitionfunction to an elapsed time from the detection of the operation;specifying a display position of the image toward the destination on thebasis of the ratio of movement of the image computed in the computationstep; and controlling the display of the image so that the image isdisplayed, every predetermined period, at a position specified in thespecification step.

[0010] In the above-mentioned inventions, preferably, the transitionfunction is defined so that a travel distance per unit time decreaseswith time, the transition function is variable depending on apredetermined condition, and the predetermined condition is determinedby the degrees of importance of a displayed object.

[0011] In the above-mentioned inventions, an operation is detected and,at the time of detection, a transition function is applied, everypredetermined period, to an elapsed time from the detection of theoperation, a ratio of the movement of the image to a distance from thecurrent display position to a destination specified by the operation,and, on the basis of the obtained ratio of the image movement, an imagedisplay position toward the destination is specified, at which the imageis displayed every predetermined period.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external view of anote-size personal computer practiced as one embodiment of theinvention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top view of a main body;

[0014]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a jog dial;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a side view of the personal computer;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of the personalcomputer;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a displayprogram and a reading program;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on an LCD;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the LCD;

[0020]FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the LCD;

[0021]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a thumbnail corresponding tovoice data;

[0022]FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of generating athumbnail for displaying an image corresponding to voice data;

[0023]FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating thumbnail examples fordisplaying images corresponding to voice data;

[0024]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a thumbnail example fordisplaying an image corresponding to text data;

[0025]FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a related-art thumbnailarrangement;

[0026]FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a line view;

[0027]FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating axes;

[0028]FIGS. 17A to 17F are diagrams illustrating a line view;

[0029]FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a loop view;

[0030]FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating another loop view;

[0031]FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating axes;

[0032]FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a spiral view;

[0033]FIGS. 22A to 22B are diagrams illustrating another spiral view;

[0034]FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an axis;

[0035]FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a square view;

[0036]FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating another square view;

[0037]FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating the movement of an icon;

[0038]FIGS. 27A to 27C are diagrams illustrating the movement of theicon;

[0039]FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating after-image processing;

[0040]FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating after-image processing;

[0041]FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a status transition;

[0042]FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a transition function;

[0043]FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a status transition;

[0044]FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a status transition;

[0045]FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating processing for changing displaypositions of thumbnails;

[0046]FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating one example of changing displaypositions of thumbnails;

[0047]FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating another example of changingdisplay positions of thumbnails;

[0048]FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating the selection of a thumbnail;

[0049]FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating the selection of the thumbnail;

[0050]FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged display;

[0051]FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating the selection of a thumbnail;

[0052]FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating the selection of the thumbnail;

[0053]FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged display;

[0054]FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating the selection of a thumbnail;

[0055]FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating the selection of the thumbnail;

[0056]FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged display;

[0057]FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating the selection of a thumbnail;

[0058]FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating the selection of the thumbnail;

[0059]FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating an enlarged display;

[0060]FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating the degree of importance;

[0061]FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating one example of processingcorresponding to the degree of importance;

[0062]FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating a display of a frame;

[0063]FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating one example of variation inlightness or saturation of the frame in correspondence with elapsedtime;

[0064]FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating one example of variation in hueof the frame in correspondence with elapsed time;

[0065]FIG. 54 is a diagram illustrating the processing of displaying anadditional attribute display;

[0066]FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating one example of displaying theadditional attribute display;

[0067]FIG. 56 is a diagram illustrating one example of displayingthumbnails and others in all or part of the screen of the LCD;

[0068]FIG. 57 is a diagram illustrating one example of displayingthumbnails and others all over the screen of the LCD;

[0069]FIG. 58 is a diagram illustrating an icon;

[0070]FIG. 59 is a diagram illustrating an icon;

[0071]FIG. 60 is a flowchart describing the processing of readingcontent;

[0072]FIG. 61 is a flowchart describing the processing of displayingvoice data;

[0073]FIG. 62 is a flowchart describing the processing of displaying aline view;

[0074]FIG. 63 is a flowchart describing the processing of displaying aloop view;

[0075]FIG. 64 is a flowchart describing the processing of displaying aspiral view;

[0076]FIG. 65 is a flowchart describing the processing of moving anicon;

[0077]FIG. 66 is a flowchart describing the processing of displaying anafter-image;

[0078]FIG. 67 is a flowchart describing the processing of statustransition;

[0079]FIG. 68 is a flowchart describing the processing of enlargeddisplay;

[0080]FIG. 69 is a flowchart describing the processing of displaying aframe;

[0081]FIG. 70 is a flowchart describing the processing of displayingattributes; and

[0082]FIG. 71 is a flowchart describing the processing of selectingbetween display modes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0083]FIGS. 1 through 4 show external views of a note-size personalcomputer practiced as one embodiment of the present invention. Apersonal computer 1 is basically composed of a main body 2 and a displaysection 3 pivotally attached to the main body 2. FIG. 1 is an externalperspective view of the personal computer 1 with the display section 3open relative to the main body 2. FIG. 2 is a top view of the main body2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a jog dial 4 to be described laterarranged on the main body 2. FIG. 4 is a side view of the jog dial 4arranged on the main body 2.

[0084] The main body 2 is arranged, on its top side, with a keyboard 5which is operated to enter various characters and symbols, a touch pad6, which is a pointing device for use in moving a pointer (or mousecursor) displayed on an LCD 7, and a power switch 8. On one side of themain body 2, the jog dial 4, a slot 9, an IEEE 1394 port 101, a memorystick slot 115, etc. are arranged. It is practical to arrange astick-type pointing device instead of the touch pad 6.

[0085] On the front surface of the display section 3, the LCD (LiquidCrystal Display) 7 for displaying images is arranged. In the upper rightcorner of the display section 3, such LED lights as a power light PL, abattery light BL, and, as required, a message light (not shown) arearranged. A microphone 66 is arranged at the upper edge of the display3.

[0086] The power light PL, the battery light BL, and the message lightML may be arranged at the lower edge of the display 3.

[0087] The jog dial 4 is mounted so that it comes between key A and keyB arranged on the right side of the keyboard 5 shown in FIG. 2 of themain body 2, the top surface of the jog dial 4 being approximately flushwith the top surfaces of these keys. The jog dial 4 is operated in thedirection indicated by arrow “a” shown in FIG. 3 to execute apredetermined process (for example, a display screen scrolling process)and in the direction indicated by arrow “b” to execute anotherpredetermined process (for example, an icon selection enter process).

[0088] The jog dial 4 may be arranged on the left side of the main body2. The jog dial 4 may also be arranged on the left or right face of thedisplay 3 with the LCD 7 arranged or vertically between G key and H Keyof the keyboard 5 (so that the jog dial 4 is rotatable in the directionsparallel to Y key and B key).

[0089] The jog dial 4 may be arranged in a central portion of the frontface of the main body 2 so that the user can operate the jog dial 4 withthe thumb while operating the touch pad with the index finger. The jogdial 4 may also be arranged horizontally along the upper rim or thelower rim of the touch pad 6 or vertically between the left and rightbuttons of the touch pad 6. The jog dial 4 may also be arranged notvertically or horizontally but diagonally at which angle is easy for theoperator to rotate the jog dial 4. The jog dial 4 may be arranged at theside of the mouse, a pointing device, at which the user can operate thejog dial 4 with the thumb. For the jog dial 4, a rotary electronicdevice with a push switch disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei8-203387 for example.

[0090] The slot 9 accommodates a PC card, which is an extension cardcompliant with PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card InternationalAssociation).

[0091] The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394port 101 has a construction compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard and isconnected to a cable compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard.

[0092] The memory stick slot 115 accommodates a Memory Stick (trademark) 116 based on a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory whichstores still picture, moving picture, audio data, or text data.

[0093] The following describes the configuration of one embodiment ofthe personal computer 1 with reference to FIG. 5.

[0094] A central processing unit (CPU) 51 is a Pentium (trade mark)processor of Intel Corporation for example and is connected to a hostbus 52. The host bus 52 is connected to a bridge 53 (a so-called northbridge). The bridge 53 has an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 50 and isconnected to a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect/Interface) bus 56.

[0095] The bridge 53 is the 400BX, which is the AGP host bridgecontroller of Intel Corporation, for example, and controls the datatransmission associated with the CPU 51 and a RAM (Random Access Memory)54 (a so-called main memory). In addition, the bridge 53 controls thetransmission of data with a video controller 57 via the AGP 50. Itshould be noted that the bridge 53 and a bridge 58 (a so-called southbridge (PCI-ISA Bridge)) constitute a so-called chipset.

[0096] The bridge 53 is also connected to a cache memory 55. The cachememory 55 is based on a memory chip which is faster in access than theRAM 54 based on an SRAM (Static RAM), thereby caching (namelytemporarily storing) the programs and data to be used by the CPU 51.

[0097] It should be noted that the CPU 51 incorporates a primary cachememory (which operates faster than the cache memory 55 and is controlledby the CPU 51 itself).

[0098] The RAM 54, based on a DRAM (Dynamic RAM) for example, stores theprograms to be executed by the CPU 51 and the data necessary for the CPU51 to operate. To be more specific, the RAM 54 stores, upon completionof a bootup sequence of the personal computer 1, an electronic mailprogram 54A, an auto pilot program 54B, a jog dial status monitorprogram 54C, a jog dial driver 54D, an operating system (OS) 54E, adisplay program 54F, a reading program 54G, and other applicationprograms 54H1 through 54Hn loaded from a HDD 67.

[0099] It should be noted that the display program 54F and the readingprogram 54G may be adapted to start when the memory stick 116 is loadedinto the memory stick slot 115.

[0100] The electronic mail program 54A transfers communication text(so-called e-mail) over a communication line such as a telephone line 76via a modem 75. The electronic mail program 54A has a incoming mailcapture capability. This incoming mail capture capability checks to seeif a mail addressed to the user has arrived in a mail box 79 of a mailserver 78 of an Internet service provider 77 and, if such a mail isfound, executes a mail capture process.

[0101] The auto pilot program 54B sequentially starts pluralpredetermined processes (or programs) in a predetermined order.

[0102] The jog dial status monitor program 54C receives the informationfrom each of the above-mentioned application programs indicative ofwhether it complies with the jog dial 4. If the compliance is found,this program displays on the LCD 7 what can be done by operating the jogdial 4.

[0103] The jog dial status monitor program 54C detects a jog dial event(the rotation of the jog dial 4 in the direction of arrow “a” or thepressing in the direction of arrow “b” for example) and executes aprocess corresponding to the detected event. The jog dial status monitorprogram 54C has a list for receiving the notifications from applicationprograms. The jog dial driver 54D executes various capabilities inaccordance with the operations of the jog dial 4.

[0104] The OS (Operating System) 54E is a program, typically Windows 95(trade mark) or Windows 98 (trade mark) of Microsoft Corporation or MacOS (trademark) of Apple Computer for example, which controls the basicoperations of the computer.

[0105] The display program 54F displays on the LCD 7 a thumbnailcorresponding to a file (storing data such as moving picture, stillpicture, audio data, or text data (hereafter also referred to ascontent) stored in the memory stick 116 loaded in the memory stick slot115. Referring to the thumbnail displayed on the LCD 7, the displayprogram 54F operates (copies, moves, or deletes for example) a filestored in the memory stick 116.

[0106] The reading program 54G reads a file from the memory stick loadedin the memory stick slot 115 and supplies the data stored in the file tothe display program 54F.

[0107] The video controller 57 is connected to the bridge 53 via the AGP50 and receives data (image data or text data for example) from the CPU51 via the AGP 50 and the bridge 53 to generate the image datacorresponding to the received data or stores the received data withoutchange into an incorporated video memory. The video controller 57displays on the LCD 7 of he display section 3 an image corresponding tothe image data stored in the video memory.

[0108] The PCI bus 56 is connected to a sound controller 64. The soundcontroller 64 captures a signal representing a voice inputted from themicrophone 66, generates a corresponding audio data, and outputs theaudio data to the RAM 54. Also, the sound controller 64 drives a speaker65 to sound audio data therefrom.

[0109] The PCI bus 56 is also connected to the modem 75. The modem 75sends predetermined data to a communication network 80 such as theInternet or the mail server 78 through a telephone line 76 and theInternet service provider 77 and receives predetermined data from thecommunication network 80 or the mail server 78.

[0110] The PC card interface 111, connected to the PCI bus 56, suppliesthe data from an interface card 112 loaded in the slot 9 to the CPU 51or the RAM 54 and outputs the data supplied from the CPU 51 to theinterface card 112. A drive 113 is connected to the PCI bus 56 via thePC card interface 111 and the interface card 112.

[0111] The drive 113 reads data from a magnetic disc 121, an opticaldisc 122, a magneto-optical disc 123, a semiconductor memory 124 loadedin the drive 113 and supplies the data to the RAM 54 via the PC cardinterface 111, the interface card 112, and the PCI bus 56.

[0112] The memory stick interface 114, connected to the PCI bus 56,supplies the data from the memory stick 116 loaded in the memory stickslot 115 to the CPU 51 or the RAM 54 and outputs the data supplied fromthe CPU 51 to the memory stick 116.

[0113] The PCI bus is also connected to the bridge 58 (a so-called southbridge). The bridge 58 is based on the PIIX4 of Intel Corporation forexample and incorporates an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)controller/configuration register 59, a timer circuit 60, an IDEinterface 61, and a USB interface 68. The bridge 58 controls various I/O(Input/Output) operations such as control of a device connected to theIDE bus 62 or connected via an ISA/EIO (Industry StandardArchitecture/Extended Input Output) bus 63 or an I/O interface 69.

[0114] The IDE controller/configuration register 59 is composed of twoIDE controllers; a so-called primary IDE controller and a so-calledsecondary IDE controller and a configuration register (each not shown).

[0115] The primary IDE controller is connected to the HDD 67 via the IDEbus 62. The secondary IDE controller is electrically connected toso-called IDE devices such as a CD-ROM drive or a HDD both not shownwhen these IDE devices are connected to another IDE bus.

[0116] The HDD 67 stores an electronic mail program 67A, an auto pilotprogram 67B, a jog dial status monitor program 67C, a jog dial driver67D, an OS 67E, application programs such as a display program 67F and areading program 67G and others 67H1 through 67Hn. The electronic mailprogram 67A, the auto pilot program 67B, the jog dial status monitorprogram 67C, the jog dial driver 67D, the OS 67E, application programssuch as the display program 67F and the reading program 67G and others67H1 through 67Hn stored in the HDD 67 are sequentially supplied andloaded into the RAM 54 in a bootup sequence for example.

[0117] The USB interface 68 sends data to a device connected via a USBport 107 and receives data from the device.

[0118] The timer circuit 60 supplies the data indicative of current timeupon request by the display program 67F to the CPU 51 via the PCI bus56. Referring to the current time data supplied from the timer circuit60, the display program 67F can know an elapsed time for example.

[0119] The ISA/EIO bus 63 is also connected to the I/O interface 69. Inthe I/O interface 69, constituted by an embedded controller, a ROM 70, aRAM 71, and a CPU 72 are interconnected.

[0120] The ROM 70 stores an IEEE 1394 interface program 70A, a LEDcontrol program 70B, a touch pad input monitor program 70C, a key inputmonitor program 70D, a wakeup program 70E, and a jog dial status monitorprogram 7OF in advance.

[0121] The IEEE 1394 interface program 70A sends and receives data (thedata stored in packet) compliant with the IEEE 1394 standard via theIEEE 1394 port 101. The LED control program 70B controls the turn-on/offof the power light PL, the battery light BL, the message light ML asrequired, and other LED lights. The touch pad input monitor program 70Cmonitors the input made by the user from the touch pad 6.

[0122] The key input monitor program 70D monitors the input made by theuser from the keyboard 5 or other key switches. The wakeup program 70E,which executes power management on each chip constituting the personalcomputer 1, checks, on the basis of the current time data supplied fromthe timer circuit 60 of the bridge 58, whether a predetermined time hasbeen reached and, when the predetermined has been reached, starts apredetermined process (or a program). The jog dial status monitorprogram 70F always monitors whether the rotary encoder of the jog dial 4has been operated or the jog dial 4 itself has been pushed.

[0123] The ROM 70 also stores a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) 70G.The BIOS 70G controls data transfer (input/output) between the OS or anapplication program and peripheral devices (the touch pad 6, thekeyboard 5, the HDD 67, etc.).

[0124] The RAM 71 stores registers 71A through 71F, namely a LED controlregister, a touch pad input status register, a key input statusregister, a setting time register, a jog dial status monitor I/Oregister, and an IEEE 1394 I/F register. For example, the LED controlregister holds a predetermine value when the jog dial 4 is pressed tostart the electronic mail program 54A, thereby controlling the turn-onof the message light ML in accordance with the stored value. The keyinput status register holds a predetermined operated key flag when thejog dial 4 is pressed. The setting time register holds a predeterminedtime when the user operates the keyboard 5 for example.

[0125] The I/O interface 69 is connected to the jog dial 4, the touchpad 6, the keyboard 5, and the IEEE 1394 port 101 through thecorresponding connectors, not shown, and outputs the signalscorresponding to the operations made on these input devices to theISA/EIO bus 63. Also, the I/O interface 69 controls the transfer of datawith the devices connected via the IEEE 1394 port 101. The I/O interface69 is also connected to the power light PL, the battery light BL, themessage light ML, a power control circuit 73, and other LED lights.

[0126] The power control circuit 73, connected to an incorporatedbattery 74 or an AC power outlet, supplies power to each blockconstituting the personal computer and controls the charging of theincorporated battery 74 and a second battery of each peripheral device.The I/O interface 69 monitors the power switch 8 which turns on/off thepower to the personal computer.

[0127] The I/O interface 69 executes the programs, the IEEE 1394interface program 70A through the jog dial status monitor program 70F,on the internally supplied power if the externally supplied power isoff. Namely, the programs, the IEEE 1394 interface program 70A throughthe jog dial status monitor program 70F, are always operating.

[0128] Therefore, if the power switch 8 is off and the CPU 51 is notexecuting the OS 54E, the I/O interface 69 executes the jog dial statusmonitor program 70F, so that, when the jog dial 4 is pressed in thepower save mode or with the power being off, the personal computer 1starts the processing of a predetermined software program or scriptfile.

[0129] Thus, in the personal computer 1, the jog dial 4 has aprogrammable key (PPK) function, so that no dedicated key need bearranged.

[0130]FIG. 6 shows the configurations of the display program 54F and thereading program 54G to be executed by the personal computer 1. Thedisplay program 54F includes a processing manager 151, contentprocessing routines 152-1 through 152-N, and icon processing routines153-1 through 153-N.

[0131] The processing manager 151 computes, on the basis of an inputevent supplied from the touch pad 6 or the OS 54E, a position at which athumbnail corresponding to a file read from the memory stick 116 is tobe displayed and supplies a computation result to the content processingroutines 152-1 through 152-N. The thumbnail display position to besupplied by the processing manager 151 to the content processingroutines 152-1 through 152N includes a depth (indicative of a virtualdistance from the surface of the LCD 7, determining, when two or morethumbnails overlap, which one is to be displayed on top and the size ofthe displayed thumbnail for example) in addition to a horizontally andvertically defined position on the LCD 7.

[0132] The processing manager 151 controls the periods of thumbnaildisplay of the content processing routines 152-1 through 152-N.

[0133] The processing manager 151 computes an icon display position forexample on the basis of an input event supplied from the touch pad 6 orthe OS 54E and supplies a computation result to the icon processingroutines 153-1 through 153-N. The processing manager 151 controls theperiods of icon display of the icon processing routines 153-1 through153-N.

[0134] The processing manager 151 sends display status information(thumbnail display position, display period, and image color) to thecontent processing routines 152-1 through 152-N on the basis of an inputevent for example supplied from the touch pad 6 or the OS 54E.

[0135] In response to an input from the touch pad 6 for example, theprocessing manager 151 requests the OS 54E for copy, deletion, ortransfer of the files corresponding to the thumbnails displayed by thecontent processing routines 152-1 through 152-N.

[0136] In response to a request from the reading program 54G, thecontent processing routines 152-1 through 152-N are started in thenumber corresponding to the number of files read from the memory stick116.

[0137] For example, when 4 files have been read by the reading program54G from the memory stick 116, the reading program 54G starts thecontent processing routines 152-1 through 152-4. For example again, if 8files have been read by the reading program 54G from the memory stick116, the reading program 54G requests the starting of the contentprocessing routines 152-1 through 152-8.

[0138] Thus, the number of content processing routines 152-1 through152-N corresponding to the number of files read by the reading program54G from the memory stick 116 are started. Actually, the display program54F repeats the execution of one routine by a predetermined number oftimes. Therefore, it appears that plural content processing routines152-1 through 152-N are running.

[0139] The content processing routine 152-1 displays one thumbnailcorresponding to one file read from the memory stick 116 onto the LCD 7as instructed by the processing manager 151. The content processingroutine 152-2 displays another thumbnail corresponding to another fileread from the memory stick 116 onto the LCD 7 as instructed by theprocessing manager 151. Likewise, the content processing routines 152-3through 152-N display thumbnails corresponding to files, one to one,read from the memory stick 116 onto the LCD 7 as instructed by theprocessing manager 151.

[0140] Thus, each of the content processing routines 152-3 through 152-Ndisplays one thumbnail as instructed by the processing manager 151 onthe LCD 7.

[0141] The icon processing routines 153-1 through 153-N are started inthe number corresponding to the number of icons to be described later.

[0142] The icon processing routine 153-1 displays one icon onto the LCD7 as instructed by the processing manger 151. The icon processingroutine 153-2 displays another icon onto the LCD 7 as instructed by theprocessing manager 151. Likewise, the icon processing routines 153-3through 153-N display different icons onto the LCD 7 as instructed bythe processing manager 151.

[0143] Thus, the each of the icon processing routines 153-1 through153-N displays one icon onto the LCD 7 as instructed by the processingmanager 151.

[0144] When one file has been read from the memory stick 116, thereading program 54G starts one of the content processing routines 152-1through 152-N and supplies the data stored in that file to one startedcontent processing routine of the content processing routines 152-1through 152-N.

[0145] When a file has been read from the communication network 80 suchas the Internet, the reading program 54G may start one of the contentprocessing routines 152-1 through 152-N and supply the data stored inthat file to one started content processing routine of the contentprocessing routines 152-1 through 152-N.

[0146] In what follows, if there is no need to make distinction betweenthe content processing routines 152-1 through 152-N, the contentprocessing routines are generically referred to simply as the contentprocessing routine 152. It should be noted that the content processingroutines 152-1 through 152-N may be executed as different tasks whichrun concurrently with each other. In what follows, if there is no needto make distinction between the icon processing routines 153-1 through153-N, the icon processing routines are generically referred to simplyas the icon processing routine 153.

[0147] The following sequentially describes the screens to be displayedby the display program 54F onto the LCD 7 in correspondence to theoperations executed by the personal computer 1 which are assumed asnormal operations.

[0148]FIGS. 7 through 9 shows the screens to be displayed on the LCD 7when the memory stick 116 storing 10 files for example is loaded in thememory stick slot 115 and the display program 54F is started.

[0149] When the reading program 54G reads one file from the memory stick116, starts one content processing routine 152 and the display program54F displays a thumbnail corresponding to the data stored in the fileread.

[0150]FIG. 7 shows an exemplary screen to be displayed by the displayprogram 54F onto the LCD 7 when 3 files of the 10 files stored in thememory stick 116 have been read by the reading program 54G afterstarting of the display program 54F.

[0151] A thumbnail 201-1 is displayed by the content processing routine152-1 and is constituted by an image corresponding to the data stored inthe file read first by the reading program 54G from the memory stick116. A thumbnail 201-2 is displayed by the content processing routine152-2 and is constituted by an image corresponding to the data stored inthe file read second by the reading program 54G from the memory stick116. A thumbnail 201-3 is displayed by the content processing routine152-3 and is constituted by an image corresponding to the data stored inthe file read third by the reading program 54G from the memory stick116.

[0152] As described later, the thumbnails 201-1 through 201-3 arearranged along a virtually spiral. In what follows, unless it isnecessary to make distinction between the thumbnails 201-1 through201-N, they are generically referred to simply as the thumbnail 201.

[0153] The content processing routine 152 generates the thumbnail 201 inaccordance with the type of the data supplied from the reading program54G.

[0154] For example, receiving moving image data from the reading program54G, the content processing routine 152 generates the thumbnail 201 onthe basis of the first image of the moving image data.

[0155] Receiving still image data of TIFF (Tag Image File Format) or GIF(Graphic Interchange Format), the content processing routine 152generates the thumbnail 201 from the still image data. Receiving stillimage data of JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), the contentprocessing routine 152 uses the thumbnail data stored in the header ofthe received data.

[0156] Receiving audio or text data from the reading program 54G, thecontent processing routine 152 generates an image from the receivedaudio or text data and uses the generated image as the thumbnail 201.The processing by the content processing routine 152 of generating animage as the thumbnail 201 on the basis of audio or text data will bedescribed later.

[0157] Icons for specifying the arrangement of the thumbnails 201 aredisplayed in the bottom of the screen displayed by the display program54F onto the LCD 7. An icon 202-1 instructs the display program 54F toarrange the thumbnails 201 on a virtually straight line. An icon 202-2instructs the display program 54F to arrange the thumbnails 201 around avirtual true circle or ellipse. An icon 202-3 instructs the displayprogram 54F to arrange the thumbnails 201 in a lattice manner. An icon202-4 instructs the display program 54F to arrange the thumbnails 201along a virtual spiral.

[0158] Because the icon 202-4 is selected and arranged at lower centerof the screen, the display program 54F arranges the thumbnails 201-1through 201-3 along a virtual spiral. In what follows, unless it isnecessary to make distinction between the icons 202-1 through 202-4,they are generically referred to simply as the icon 202.

[0159] When such processes for the files corresponding to the thumbnails201-1 through 201-3 as enlarge, reproduce, attribute informationdisplay, copy, delete, and transfer are requested by the user from thejog dial 4, the keyboard 5, or the touch pad 6, the display program 54Fexecutes the requested processing on the files corresponding to thethumbnails 201-1 through 201-3. For example, if the request comes fromthe touch pad 6, the processing manager 151 requests the OS 54E toexecute a copy, delete, or transfer operation on the files correspondingto the thumbnails 201-1 through 201-3.

[0160]FIG. 8 shows an exemplary screen to be displayed by the displayprogram 54G onto the LCD 7 when 7 files of the 10 files stored in thememory stick 116 have been read by the reading program 54G afterstarting of the display program 54F.

[0161] The thumbnail 201-4 is displayed by the content processingroutine 152-4 and is constituted by an image corresponding to the datacontained in the file read fourth by the reading program 54G from thememory stick 116. The thumbnail 201-5 is displayed by the contentprocessing routine 152-5 and is constituted by an image corresponding tothe data contained in the file read fifth by the reading program 54Gfrom the memory stick 116.

[0162] The thumbnail 201-6 is displayed by the content processingroutine 152-6 and is constituted by an image corresponding to the datacontained in the file read sixth by the reading program 54G from thememory stick 116. The thumbnail 201-7 is displayed by the contentprocessing routine 152-7 and is constituted by an image corresponding tothe data contained in the file read seventh by the reading program 54Gfrom the memory stick 116.

[0163] The thumbnails 201-1 through 201-7 are arranged along a virtualspiral.

[0164] When such processes for the files corresponding to the thumbnails201-1 through 201-7 as enlarge, reproduce, attribute informationdisplay, copy, delete, and transfer are requested by the user from thejog dial 4, the keyboard 5, or the touch pad 6, the display program 54Fexecutes the requested processing on the files corresponding to thethumbnails 201-1 through 201-7. For example, if the request comes fromthe touch pad 6, the processing manager 151 requests the OS 54E toexecute a copy, delete, or transfer operation on the files correspondingto the thumbnails 201-1 through 201-7.

[0165]FIG. 9 shows an exemplary screen to be displayed by the displayprogram 54F onto the LCD 7 when all files have been read by the readingprogram 54G from the memory stick 116 after the starting of the displayprogram 54F.

[0166] The thumbnail 201-8 is displayed by the content processingroutine 152-8 and is constituted by an image corresponding to the datacontained in the file read eighth by the reading program 54G from thememory stick 116. The thumbnail 201-9 is displayed by the contentprocessing routine 152-9 and is constituted by an image corresponding tothe data contained in the file read ninth by the reading program 54Gfrom the memory stick 116. The thumbnail 201-10 is displayed by thecontent processing routine 152-10 and is constituted by an imagecorresponding to the data contained in the file read tenth by thereading program 54G from the memory stick 116.

[0167] The thumbnails 201-1 through 201-10 are arranged along a virtualspiral.

[0168] When such processes for the files corresponding to the thumbnails201-1 through 201-10 as enlarge, reproduce, attribute informationdisplay, copy, delete, and transfer are requested by the user from thejog dial 4, the keyboard 5, or the touch pad 6, the display program 54Fexecutes the requested processing on the files corresponding to thethumbnails 201-1 through 201-10. For example, if the request comes fromthe touch pad 6, the processing manager 151 requests the OS 54E toexecute a copy, delete, or transfer operation on the files correspondingto the thumbnails 201-1 through 201-10.

[0169] Thus, when the reading program 54G reads files from the memorystick 116, the display program 54F sequentially displays the thumbnails201 corresponding to the data contained in these files, so that the userof the personal computer 1 can know the contents of the files stored inthe stick memory 116 and a file read state at that point of time.

[0170] When the reading program 54G reads files from the memory stick116, the display program 54F executes a process requested at that pointof time on the files.

[0171] If the reading of files is slow, the display program 54Fsequentially displays the thumbnails 201 corresponding to the datacontained in the files, so that the user can determine an operation tobe executed next by referring to the displayed thumbnails 201.

[0172] The processes executable on the files corresponding to thethumbnails 201-1 through 201-3 shown in FIG. 7 are the same as thoseexecutable on the files corresponding to the thumbnails 201-1 through201-7 shown in FIG. 8 and those executable on the files corresponding tothe thumbnails 201-1 through 201-10 shown in FIG. 9.

[0173] The following describes the thumbnail 201 for displaying an imagecorresponding to audio or text data. Conventionally, as shown in theleft side in FIG. 10, an icon representing a recorded voice isdisplayed. In this example, if there are plural pieces of voice data,corresponding icons having a same shape are displayed.

[0174] On the contrary, as shown in the right side of FIG. 10, thedisplay program 54F generates an image corresponding to audio data ortext data themselves and displays the generated image as the thumbnail201.

[0175]FIG. 11 shows a procedure of generating the thumbnails 201 fordisplaying an image corresponding to audio data by the contentprocessing routine 152.

[0176] First, the content processing routine 152 sets an area in whichthe thumbnail 201 is displayed in accordance with its size. Inaccordance with the size of the audio data, the content processingroutine 152 divides the area for displaying the thumbnail 201 intosquare areas each consisting of the predetermined number of pixels.

[0177] The content processing routine 152 extracts the data of a givenportion (for example, if the audio data are viewed as a data sequence,the data located at the center of the data sequence) from the audio dataand generates the pixel value of each pixel on the basis of theextracted data. For example, the content processing routine 152 extractsdata from the audio data in units of 8 bits to provide RGB data.

[0178] In the example shown in FIG. 11, 0fh (hereafter each hexadecimalvalue is suffixed with “h”) extracted from the audio data provides Rdata, 7eh provides G data, and 57h provides B data. Likewise, 0fh, 7eh,and 57h are followed by 12h providing R data, 25h providing G data, and98h providing B data.

[0179] When the audio data are encrypted or encoded, the contentprocessing routine 152 does not decode the audio data but generates RGBdata directly from the encrypted or decoded audio data.

[0180] Thus, the content processing routine 152 generates the samenumber of pixel values of RGB data as the number of dividedthumbnail-areas.

[0181] The content processing routine 152 sets the RGB data to each ofsquare areas each consisting of the predetermined number of pixels,obtained by dividing an area to be displayed by the thumbnail 201. Atthis point of time, the thumbnail 201 consists of an image in which eachsquare has a different color as shown in the example of image 1 of FIG.11.

[0182] The content processing routine 152 then applies a blur process tothe thumbnail 201 to which the RGB data are set. Blurring the thumbnail201 with RGB data set makes the displayed thumbnail 201 easier to beseen as shown in the example of image 2 shown in FIG. 11.

[0183] In addition to the blur process, the content processing routinecan apply any other image processes such as emboss and outlineextraction to the thumbnail 201 with RGB data set.

[0184] Further, the content processing routine 152 writes the attributedata such as title, artist, and play time contained in the audio fileover predetermined positions in text as shown in the example of image 3shown in FIG. 11.

[0185] Because the content processing routine 152 writes the attributedata such as title, artist, and play time contained in the audio fileover predetermined positions in text, the user viewing the thumbnail 201corresponding to the audio data can know in detail the contents of theaudio data corresponding to the thumbnail 201.

[0186] The image to be set to the thumbnail 201 may be generated on thebasis of the spectrum corresponding to audio data. For example, colorscorresponding to the frequency band levels of the horizontally alignedpixels of the thumbnail 201 may be set (for example, −40 dB is relatedto a color of hue circle 0 degree and 0 dB is related to a color of huecircle 360 degrees) and the vertically aligned pixels of the thumbnail201 may be related to an audio elapsed time, thereby setting an imagecorresponding to the elapsed time of the audio spectrum all over thethumbnail 201.

[0187] As shown in FIG. 12, when the audio data are small in size, thecontent processing routine 152 divides the area for displaying thethumbnail 201 into a small number of square areas and, when the audiodata are large in size, the content processing routine 152 divides thearea into a large number of square areas.

[0188] By doing so, the user of the personal computer 1 can predict thesize of audio data only by viewing the thumbnail 201 corresponding tothe audio data.

[0189] As shown in FIG. 13, the content processing routine 152 generatesthe thumbnail 201 on the basis of text data in the same procedure asgenerating the thumbnail 201 corresponding to audio data. In this case,the content processing routine 152 may extract predetermined summarytext of text included in the text data as the text to be displayed onthe thumbnail 201 and display the extracted text.

[0190] Thus, the display program 54F can generate the thumbnail 201 incorrespondence with audio data or text data.

[0191] The data which can be processed by the display program 54F arenot limited to audio data and text data. For example, the displayprogram 54F can generate the thumbnail 201 on the basis of dataincluding no image, for example, data stored in an HTML (HypertextMarkup Language) file, data for spreadsheeting, and an execution program(a load module).

[0192] The following describes the arrangement of the thumbnails 201 tobe displayed by the display program 54F.

[0193] Conventionally, when arranging thumbnails and accompanyinginformation, it is a general practice for the thumbnails to be arrangednot overlapping each other and the accompanying information to bedisplayed nearby.

[0194] On the contrary, the display program 54F of the personal computer1 provides three types of arranging thumbnails 201 in addition to adisplay method in which the thumbnails 201 are arranged in a lattice,not overlapping each other (this method is hereafter referred to assquare view).

[0195] In the first display embodiment, a virtual straight line or avirtual curve (an open line) is specified and the thumbnails 201 arearranged on the specified virtual line (this display method is hereafterreferred to as a line view). In the second display embodiment, a virtualtrue circle or a virtual ellipse (a closed line) is specified and thethumbnails 201 are arranged about the circle or ellipse (this displaymethod is hereafter referred to as a loop view). In the third displayembodiment, a virtual spiral is specified and the thumbnails 201 arearranged on the spiral (this display method is hereafter referred to asa spiral view).

[0196] First, line view to be displayed when the icon 202-1 is clickedwill be described. As shown in FIG. 15, the display program 54Fspecifies an axis 221-1 consisting of a straight line or circle andarranges the thumbnails 201-1 through 201-3 on this line. If thethumbnail 201-1 is selected and the thumbnail 201-1 overlaps thethumbnail 201-2, the display program 54F displays the entire thumbnail201-1 and only the exposed portion of the thumbnail 201-2.

[0197] If the thumbnail 201-1 is selected and the thumbnail 201-2overlaps the thumbnail 201-3, the display program 54F displays only theexposed portion of the thumbnail 201-2 and the exposed portion of thethumbnail 201-3.

[0198] Namely, the display program 54F displays the entire selectedthumbnail 201 and displays the thumbnail 201 nearer to the selectedthumbnail 201 preferentially over the thumbnail 201 farther from theselected thumbnail 201 (so that the nearer thumbnail is displayed nearerto the user).

[0199] A text 211-1 indicative of such information accompanying thethumbnail 201-1 as file name, date of creation, and image size, isarranged on an axis 221-2 at which the lower position of the thumbnail201-1 matches the upper position of the text 211-1 for example. A text211-2 indicative of such information accompanying the data correspondingto the thumbnail 201-2 as file name is arranged on the axis 221-2 atwhich the lower position of the thumbnail 201-2 matches the upperposition of the text 211-2 for example. A text 211-3 indicative of suchinformation accompanying the data corresponding to the thumbnail 201-3as file name is arranged on the axis 221-2 at which the lower positionof the thumbnail 201-3 matches the upper position of the text 211-3 forexample.

[0200] It should be noted that the axes 221-1 and 221-2 are notdisplayed on the screen of the LCD 7. In what follows, if there is noneed to make distinction between the axes 221-1 and 221-2, they will begenerically referred to simply as the axis 221. Likewise, the texts211-1 through 211-3 will be generically referred to simply as the text211 when there is no need to make distinction among them.

[0201] For example, let the horizontal direction of the screen be x axisand the vertically direction be axis y, then, as shown in FIG. 16, theaxis 221-1 is computed by equation (1) and the axis 221-1 by equation(2).

x=sin(π/2t)(y−c0)+c1  (1)

x=−sin(π/2t)(y−c0)+c1  (2)

[0202] where, x and y denote coordinates on x axis and y axisrespectively, t denotes a time elapsed from a predetermined referencetime (for example, a time corresponding to the start of displaying iconsin the line view, and c0 and c1 denote the centers of the displayedthumbnails.

[0203] θ shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to π/2t of equation (1) or (2).

[0204] Therefore, if a display operation starts with the thumbnail 201and the text 211 positioned as shown in FIG. 17B with reference to thepositions of the axes 221-1 and 221-2 as shown in FIG. 17A, thepositions of the axes 221-1 and 221-2 smoothly move toward the positionsshown in FIG. 17C and then the positions shown in FIG. 17E.

[0205] Namely, the thumbnail 201 and the text 211 are smoothlyrearranged from a state shown in FIG. 17B to a state shown in FIG. 17Din correspondence with the movement of the axes 221-1 and 221-2 then toa state shown in FIG. 17F.

[0206] Having reached the positions shown in FIG. 17E, the axes 221-1and 221-2 smoothly move to the positions shown in FIG. 17C and then tothe positions shown in FIG. 17A, repeating the smooth movement.

[0207] Namely, the thumbnail 201 and the text 211 are smoothlyrearranged from the state shown in FIG. 17F to the state shown in FIG.17D in correspondence with the movement of the axes 221-1 and 221-2 andthen to the state shown in FIG. 17B, repeating the smooth movement.

[0208] Because the selected thumbnail 201 is located at the center ofmovement of the axis 221-1, the thumbnail 201 selected by the userremains unmoved and the thumbnails located over and below it move. Thisallows the user quickly and surely recognize the selected thumbnail 201.

[0209] The following describes a loop view which is displayed when theicon 202-2 is clicked. As shown in FIG. 18, the display program 54Fspecifies an axis 241-1 consisting of a true circle, an ellipse, or apredetermined loop (including a polygon) and arranges the thumbnails201-1 through 201-5 on the axis 241-1. If the thumbnail 201-3 isselected and it overlaps the thumbnail 201-2, the display program 54Fdisplays the entire thumbnail 201-3 and only the exposed portion of thethumbnail 201-2.

[0210] If the thumbnail 201-3 is selected and the thumbnails 201-1through 201-5 are sequentially arranged and the thumbnail 201-2 overlapsthumbnail 201-1, the display program 54F displays only the exposedportion of the thumbnail 201-2 and only the exposed portion of thethumbnail 201-1. The display program 54F displays only the exposedportion of the thumbnail 201-4 and only the exposed portion of thethumbnail 201-5.

[0211] Namely, the display program 54F displays the entire selectedthumbnails 201 and displays the thumbnails 201 nearer to the selectedthumbnail 201 preferentially over the thumbnails 201 farther from theselected thumbnail 201 (so that the nearer thumbnail is displayed nearerto the user).

[0212] The display program 54F specifies an axis 241-2 which correspondsto the axis 241-1. The text 211-1 corresponding to the thumbnail 201-1is arranged on the 241-2 at which the center of the thumbnail 201-1matches the center of the text 211-1 for example. The text 211-2corresponding to the thumbnail 201-2 is arranged on the axis 241-2 atwhich the horizontal center of the thumbnail 201-2 matches the center ofthe text 211-2. Likewise, the texts 211-3 through 211-5 are arranged onthe axis 241-2 at which the horizontal centers of the thumbnails 201-3through 201-5 match the center of the texts 211-3 through 211-5respectively.

[0213] It should be noted that the axes 241-1 and 241-2 are notdisplayed on the screen of the LCD 7. In what follows, if there is noneed to make distinction between the axes 241-1 and 241-2, they will bereferenced simply as the axis 241.

[0214] As shown in FIG. 19, the display program 54F displays thethumbnails 201 arranged on the axis 241-1 and the texts 211 arranged onthe axis 241-2 with the selected thumbnail 201 being at the center ofthe screen on the LCD 7.

[0215]FIG. 20 illustrates how the display program 54F computes the axes241-1 and 241-2 if the axes 241-1 and 241-2 are true circles.

[0216] Let the number of thumbnails 201 to be displayed be n, then theradius r of the circle corresponding to the axes 241-1 and 241-2 can beobtained from equation (3).

r=64n/2π  (3)

[0217] Let the coordinates of the center of the screen be (Xcent,Ycent),then the coordinates of the center of the axis 241-1 (Xcent1,Ycent1) canbe obtained from equation (4) and the coordinates of the center of theaxis 241-2 (Xcent2,Ycent2) can be obtained from equation (5).

(Xcent1,Ycent1)=(Xcent,Ycent−r−64)  (4)

(Xcent2,Ycent2)=(Xcent,Ycent+r+64)  (5)

[0218] The position of ith thumbnail 201 can be obtained from equation(6).

(X1i,Y1i)=(Xcent1 30 r sin(i*2π/n), Ycent1+r cos(i*2π/n))  (6)

[0219] The position of ith text 211 can be obtained from equation (7).

(X2i,Y2i)=(Xcent2+r sin(i*2π/n), Ycent2−r cos(i*2π/n))  (7)

[0220] Consequently, the loop view facilitates for the user tointuitively grasp the movement of the thumbnail 201 when the displayprogram 54F changes in the loop view the position of the thumbnail 201in response to the operation of the jog dial 4.

[0221] The following describes the spiral view which is displayed whenthe icon 202-4 is clicked. As shown in FIG. 21, the display program 54Fspecifies an axis 261 consisting of a spiral and arranges the thumbnails201-1 through 201-3 and the texts 211-1 through 211-3 on the axis 261.The axis 261 runs in the depth of the screen. If all the thumbnails 201has a same size, the size as displayed on the LCD 7 differs as theposition of arrangement on the axis 261 differs.

[0222] Because the selected thumbnail 201 is located foremost toward theuser, the display program 54F displays it largest compared with others,unselected thumbnails 201 being shown smaller.

[0223] Thus, the display program 54F, while displaying many thumbnails201, displays the selected thumbnail 201 largest and the unselectedthumbnails smaller, thereby enhancing the usage efficiency of the screenon the LCD 7.

[0224] As shown in FIG. 22A, the display program 54F may also specifyaxes 261-1 and 261-2 having a same axis and arrange thumbnails 201 onthe axis 261-1 and arrange texts 211 on the axis 261-2.

[0225] The coordinates (x,y,z) of the axis 261 consisting of a spiralhaving radius r can be obtained from equations (8), (9), and (10).

x=r sin(t)+c0t  (8)

y=c1t  (9)

z=r cos(t)  (10)

[0226] where, r is the radius of the spiral, c0 and c1 are constants fordefining the slope of the spiral, and t is a given value.

[0227] As shown in FIG. 23, the coordinates (xi,yi,zi) of the thumbnail201 arranged on the axis 261 consisting of a spiral having radius r canbe obtained from equations (11), (12), and (13).

xi=Xcent+r sin(i*2π/9)−(i*r/20)  (11)

yi=Ycent+(i*r/10)  (12)

zi=r−r cos(i*2π/9)  (13)

[0228] where, Xcent and Ycent denote the coordinates of the center ofthe screen. The z axis is at right angles to the x axis and y axis,running in the depth of the screen. 20 in equation (11) and 10 inequation (12) are predetermined contents.

[0229] The following describes the square view which is displayed whenthe icon 202-3 is clicked. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 for example, thedisplay program 54F arranges, as the top row of the screen, the 5thumbnails 201-1 through 201-5 such that they are aligned on theirvertical centers and equally spaced from each other on their horizontalcenters.

[0230] The display program 54F arranges, as the second row from top,another 5 thumbnails 201-6 through 201-7 such that such that they arealigned on their vertical centers and equally spaced from each other ontheir horizontal centers. In other words, the display program 54Farranges the 5 thumbnails 201-6 through 201-10 on the second row suchthat the horizontal center of the thumbnail 201-6 matches the horizontalcenter of the thumbnail 201-1, the horizontal center of the thumbnail201-7 matches the horizontal center of the thumbnail 201-2, thehorizontal center of the thumbnail 201-8 matches the horizontal centerof the thumbnail 201-3, the horizontal center of the thumbnail 201-9matches the horizontal center of the thumbnail 201-4, and the horizontalcenter of the thumbnail 201-10 matches the horizontal center of thethumbnail 201-5.

[0231] The display program 54F arranges, as the third and fourth rows ofthe screen, the thumbnails 201-11 through 201-20 in the above-mentionedprocedure.

[0232] It should be noted that the display program 54F can rearrange thethumbnails 201 in accordance with date of creation, time of imaging,file name, and image size for example, in any of the line view, the loopview, the spiral view, and the square view.

[0233] The following describes how the icon 202 moves when it isclicked. FIG. 26 shows one example of how the icon 202 moves.

[0234] As shown to the right side of FIG. 26, if icons 202-1 through202-3 for example are arranged in the screen and when the icon 202-1 isclicked, the display program 54F moves the icon 202-1 and 202-2 suchthat the shape or color of the icon 202-1 is changed to reproduce apredetermined voice and the positions of the icon 202-1 and 202-2 areexchanged.

[0235] Namely, the processing manger 151 computes the positions of theicons 202-1 and 202-2 such that, when the touch pad 6 is operated, theicons 202-1 and 202-2 move at a predetermined period.

[0236] On the basis of the position computed by the processing manager151, the icon processing routine 153-1 displays the icon 202-1 such thatit moves to the center of screen. On the basis of the position computedby the processing manager 151, the icon processing routine 153-2displays the icon 202-2 such that it moves to the lower left of thescreen.

[0237] The icons 202-1 through 202-3 are not limited to move straight;they may move on predetermined curves. The directions in which the icons202-1 through 202-3 move are not limited to planar; they may move alsoin the depth of the screen.

[0238] When the thumbnails 201 are displayed in the loop view, thedisplay program 54F, as shown in FIG. 27A, the display program 54Farranges the icon 202-2 at the horizontal center of screen. When theicon 202-1 is clicked in the state shown in FIG. 27A, the displayprogram 54F moves the icons 202-1 through 202-4 with at a speed the usercan visually check the movement. After a state shown in FIG. 27B, thedisplay program 54F arranges the icon 202-1 to the horizontal center ofscreen as shown in FIG. 27C.

[0239] The display program 54F arranges the icons 202-2 through 202-4 inaccordance with the values related to them respectively.

[0240] For example, if 1 is related to the icon 202-1, 2 to the icon202-2, 3 to the icon 202-3, and 4 to the icon 202-4, the display program54F arranges the icons 202-2 through 202-4 from the left of the screenin the ascending order of the attached numbers. Namely, the displayprogram 54F arranges the icon 202-2 to the leftmost side of the screen,followed to the right by the icon 202-3, which is followed to the rightby the icon 202-4.

[0241] Thus, when the display program 54F moves the icons 202 andarranges the icon 202 which corresponds to the display mode to thecenter of screen for example, the user can surely know that the icon 202has been operated and, at the same time, quickly know the display modein which the thumbnail 201 is displayed.

[0242] The following describes how an after-image is displayed when thethumbnail 201 or the icon 202 is moved. The content processing routine152 draws the thumbnail 201 30 times a second for example. As shown inFIG. 28, the content processing routine 152 displays an after-image ofthe thumbnail 201 when it has been moved.

[0243] If the after-image display mode is not set in advance, thecontent processing routine 152 erases the current screen and draws thethumbnail 201 anew.

[0244] As shown in FIG. 29, if the after-image display mode is set, thecontent processing routine 152, when drawing the thumbnail 201, draws itby setting the lightness of the last displayed screen to 80% forexample. The content processing routine 152 draws the thumbnail 201 overthe screen with the lightness set to 80%.

[0245] Therefore, when the thumbnail 201 is moved, the contentprocessing routine 152 decreases the lightness of the last displayedscreen every time the drawing is made, thereby leaving an after-image ofthe thumbnail 201. Thus, the display program 54F can display anafter-image by use of less computations than otherwise.

[0246]FIG. 30 illustrates a change in the states corresponding to thedisplay positions of the thumbnail 201 or the icon 202 which has beenmoved. Referring to FIG. 30, state A relates to the loop view and stateB to the square view for example.

[0247] In state A corresponding to the loop view, when the icon 202-3 isclicked, the processing manager 151 computes the positions of thethumbnails 201-1 through 201-N to be drawn by the content processingroutines 152-1 through 152-N respectively and supplies the computedvalues to these content processing routines.

[0248] The processing manager 151 computes the positions of thethumbnails 201 on the basis of a transition function indicative of agraph shown in FIG. 31. If a distance between the thumbnail 201 in stateA and the thumbnail 201 in state B is 1, a distance of the thumbnail 201at elapsed time t from the position of the thumbnail 201 in state B isoutputted as the transition function on the basis of elapsed time t fromthe start of the transition.

[0249] Namely, let elapsed time be ti, the position of the thumbnail 201in state A be Ai, and the position of the thumbnail 201 in state B beBi, then the position of the thumbnail 201 Ci can be obtained fromequation (14).

Ci=(Ai−Bi)d(ti)+Bi  (14)

[0250] The transition function is defined so that distance d(t) rapidlydecreases from 1 as elapsed time t increases in a portion in whichelapsed time t is near 0 and then distance d(t) gradually decreases to0. Defining the transition function this way allows the display program54F to quickly move the thumbnail 201 just after it is started and thendecreases the speed as the destination is reached.

[0251] Consequently, the display program 54F can quickly move thethumbnail 201 without bothering the user with the movement.

[0252] The transition function is not limited to one shown in FIG. 31.For example, a transition function may be defined such that distanced(t) gradually decreases as elapsed time t increases in a portion inwhich elapsed time t is near 0, and then distance d(t) quickly decreasesto 0.

[0253] In response to elapsed time t and on the basis of the transitionfunction, the processing manager 151 computes the positions of thethumbnails 201-1 through 201-N corresponding to distance d(t) andsupplies the computed positions to the content processing routines 152-1through 152-N. The content processing routines 152-1 through 152-N drawthe thumbnails 201-1 through 201-N respectively.

[0254] In state C1 corresponding to elapsed time t1, the thumbnails201-1 through 201-N are displayed at their respective positions midwaytoward the respective positions in state B. In state C2 corresponding toelapsed time t2 after a predetermined time from elapsed time t1, thethumbnails 201-1 through 201-N are displayed at their respectivepositions midway toward their respectively positions in state B.

[0255] In state C3 corresponding to elapsed time t3 after a predeterminetime from elapsed time t2, the thumbnails 201-1 through 201-N aredisplayed at their respective positions which are nearer to theirrespective positions in state B than state C2.

[0256]FIG. 32 illustrates one example of the positions of the thumbnails201 in state C1 and state C2.

[0257] If a command for moving to state D is inputted for example whilemoving from state A to state B, the transient flow is directed towardstate D.

[0258] As shown in FIG. 33 for example, if the icon 202-4 is clicked instate C2, then the state of the icon 202-4 goes to state D whichcorresponds to the spiral view, with the state C2 as a new startingstate. The transition from state C2 to state D is made via states E1 andE2 as with the transition from state A to state B.

[0259] In the spiral view, the processing manager 151 changes thedisplay positions of the thumbnails 201 as shown in FIG. 34 depending onwhether the jog dial 4, the keyboard 5, or the touch pad 6 is beingoperated or not.

[0260] Further, in the spiral view, the processing manager 151 changesthe display positions of the thumbnails 201 as shown depending onwhether the keyboard 5 is kept pressed (for example, a direction key iskept pressed) or the keyboard 5 is pressed once and releasedimmediately.

[0261] To be more specific, when the jog dial 4 and the keyboard 5 arenot being operated, the processing manager 151 causes the contentprocessing routine 152 to display thumbnails 201 on a spiral havinglarger radius r as shown in FIG. 35 for example.

[0262] When the jog dial 4 is kept rotated or the keyboard 5 is keptpressed, the processing manager 151 causes the content processingroutine 152 to display thumbnails 201 on a spiral having smaller radiusr as shown in FIG. 36, for example.

[0263] When the jog dial 4 is clicked once or the keyboard 5 is pressedonce and released immediately, the processing manager 151 causes thecontent processing routine 152 to display thumbnails 201 on a spiralhaving intermediate radius r as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36.

[0264] Consequently, the user of the personal computer 1 can immediatelydetermine, on the basis of the display positions of thumbnails 201,whether the jog dial 4 or the keyboard 5 is being operated or not.

[0265] It should be noted that the display program 54F may reproduce apredetermined voice or display a predetermined image when the spiralradii r are changed.

[0266] When the jog dial 4 or the keyboard 5 is not being operated, theprocessing manager 151 may cause the content processing routine 152 todisplay thumbnails 201 on the spiral having smaller radius r and, whenthe jog dial 4 or the keyboard 5 is being operated, cause the contentprocessing routine 152 to display thumbnails 201 on the spiral havinglarger radius r.

[0267] The following describes how the thumbnail 201 is selected anddisplayed in an enlarged manner.

[0268]FIGS. 37 through 39 illustrate the selection and enlarged displayof thumbnails 201 in the line view. When a thumbnail 201 having “H” isclicked with a thumbnail 201 having “M” selected as shown in FIG. 37,the display program 54F moves all thumbnails 201 displayed on the screensuch that the thumbnail 201 having “H” comes to the center of the screenas shown in FIG. 38. The display program 54F then enters a state inwhich the thumbnail 201 having “H” is selected.

[0269] When the thumbnail 201 having “H” is clicked in the selectedstate shown in FIG. 38, the display program 54F displays an imagecorresponding to the thumbnail 201 having “H” as shown in FIG. 39.

[0270] Namely, when the data corresponding to the thumbnail 201 having“H” are a still image, the display program 54F displays it in itsoriginal size. If the data corresponding to the thumbnail 201 having “H”are a moving image, the display program 54F displays it in its originalsize and reproduces the moving image. If the data corresponding to thethumbnail 201 having “H” are a voice, the display program 54F displaysit as enlarged to a predetermined size and reproduces the voice.

[0271] When an image corresponding to the thumbnail 201 having “H” shownin FIG. 39 is clicked, the display program 54F returns to the state inwhich the thumbnail 201 having “H” is selected shown in FIG. 38.

[0272]FIGS. 40 through 42 illustrate the selection and enlarged displayof thumbnails 201 in the loop view. When a thumbnail 201 having “Q” isclicked with a thumbnail 201 having “M” selected as shown in FIG. 40,the display program 54F moves all thumbnails 201 displayed on the screensuch that the thumbnail 201 having “Q” moves to the horizontal center ofthe screen as shown in FIG. 41. Then, the display program 54F enters thestate in which the thumbnail 201 having “Q” is selected.

[0273] When the thumbnail 201 having “Q” is clicked in the selectedstate shown in FIG. 41, the display program 54F displays an imagecorresponding to the thumbnail 201 having “Q” as shown in FIG. 42.

[0274] Namely, when the data corresponding to the thumbnail 201 having“Q” are a still image, the display program 54F displays it in itsoriginal size. When the data corresponding to the thumbnail 201 having“Q” are a moving image, the display program 54F displays it in itsoriginal size and reproduces it. When the data corresponding to thethumbnail 201 having “Q” are a voice, the display program 54F displaysthe thumbnail 201 as enlarged to a predetermined size and reproduces thevoice.

[0275] When an image corresponding to the thumbnail 201 having “Q” shownin FIG. 42 is clicked, the display program 54F returns to the state inwhich the thumbnail 201 having “Q” shown in FIG. 41 is selected.

[0276]FIGS. 43 through 45 illustrate the selection and enlarged displayof thumbnails 201 in the spiral view. When a thumbnail 201 having “Z” isclicked with a thumbnail 201 having “M” selected as shown in FIG. 43,the display program 54F moves all thumbnails 201 displayed on the screensuch that the thumbnail 201 having “Z” moves to the center of the screenas shown in FIG. 44. Then, the display program 54F enters the state inwhich the thumbnail 201 having “Z” is selected.

[0277] When the thumbnail 201 having “Z” is clicked in the selectedstate shown in FIG. 44, the display program 54F displays an imagecorresponding to the thumbnail 201 having “11Z” shown in FIG. 45.

[0278] Namely, when the data corresponding to the thumbnail 201 having“Z” are a still image, the display program 54F displays it in itsoriginal size. When the data corresponding to the thumbnail 201 having“Z” are a moving image, the display program 54F displays it in itsoriginal size and reproduces it. When the data corresponding to thethumbnail 201 having “Z” are a voice, the display program 54F displaysthe thumbnail 201 as enlarged to a predetermined size and reproduces thevoice.

[0279] When an image corresponding to the thumbnail 201 having “Z” shownin FIG. 45 is clicked, the display program 54F returns to the state inwhich the thumbnail 201 having “Z” shown in FIG. 45 is selected.

[0280]FIGS. 46 through 48 illustrate the selection and enlarged displayof thumbnails 201 in the square view. When a thumbnail 201 having “B” isclicked with a thumbnail 201 having “M” selected as shown in FIG. 46,the display program 54F moves all thumbnails 201 displayed on the screensuch that the thumbnail 201 having “B” moves to the center of the screenas shown in FIG. 47. Then, the display program 54F enters the state inwhich the thumbnail 201 having “B” is selected.

[0281] When the thumbnail 201 having “B” is clicked in the selectedstate shown in FIG. 47, the display program 54F displays an imagecorresponding to the thumbnail 201 having “B” shown in FIG. 48.

[0282] Namely, when the data corresponding to the thumbnail 201 having“B” are a still image, the display program 54F displays it in itsoriginal size. When the data corresponding to the thumbnail 201 having“B” are a moving image, the display program 54F displays it in itsoriginal size and reproduces it. When the data corresponding to thethumbnail 201 having “B” are a voice, the display program 54F displaysthe thumbnail 201 as enlarged to a predetermined size and reproduces thevoice.

[0283] When an image corresponding to the thumbnail 201 having “B” shownin FIG. 48 is clicked, the display program 54F returns to the state inwhich the thumbnail 201 having “B” shown in FIG. 48 is selected.

[0284] Consequently, when the thumbnail 201 is clicked, the displayprogram 54F selects the clicked thumbnail 201, displays it enlarged, orreproduces the corresponding moving image, so that the user can easilyand quickly select desired data to display or reproduce the data.

[0285] The following describes the status transitions from the stateshown in FIG. 38 to the state shown in FIG. 39, from the state shown inFIG. 41 to the state shown in FIG. 42, from the state shown in FIG. 44to the state shown in FIG. 45 or from the state shown in FIG. 47 to thestate shown in FIG. 48, and from the state shown in FIG. 39 to the stateshown in FIG. 38, from the state shown in FIG. 42 to the state shown inFIG. 41, from the state shown in FIG. 45 to the state shown in FIG. 44or from the state shown in FIG. 48 to the state shown in FIG. 47.

[0286] The status transitions from the state shown in FIG. 38 to thestate shown in FIG. 39, from the state shown in FIG. 41 to the stateshown in FIG. 42, from the state shown in FIG. 44 to the state shown inFIG. 45 or from the state shown in FIG. 47 to the state shown in FIG. 48corresponds to a request by the user for displaying or reproducing adesired still image, a moving image, or a voice. Because an operation onthe thumbnail 201 is meant finally to display or reproduce a stillimage, a moving image, or a voice, these status transitions areimportant for the user as shown in FIG. 49.

[0287] On the contrary, the status transitions from the state shown inFIG. 39 to the state shown in FIG. 38, from the state shown in FIG. 42to the state shown in FIG. 41, from the state shown in FIG. 45 to thestate shown in FIG. 44 or from the state shown in FIG. 48 to the stateshown in FIG. 47 is a transition to a transient state meant to selectfor example another thumbnail 201 in order to end the display orreproduction of a still image, a moving image, or a voice. Therefore,these status transitions are less important for the user as shown inFIG. 49.

[0288] When a status transition which is important for the user isexecuted as shown in FIG. 50, for example, a desired still image, movingimage, or voice is displayed or reproduced for example, the displayprogram 54F changes the display comparatively slowly in which the usercan visually recognize the change in display, thereby making the usersurely recognize the display or reproduction of the specified image orvoice.

[0289] On the other hand, when a status transition which is lessimportant to the user is executed, for example, the display orreproduction of a desired still image, moving image, or voice is stoppedto change the display to the selection of a thumbnail 201, the displayprogram 54F quickly changes the display.

[0290] Thus, the display program 54F makes the user surely recognize theimportant status transitions and comparatively quickly executes thestatus transitions which are less important for the user, therebysatisfying the contrary demands for the slow but easily recognizablestatus transitions and the quick, time-saving responses.

[0291] The following describes how a selected thumbnail 201 isdisplayed. As shown in FIG. 51, when a thumbnail 201 is selected, thedisplay program 54F displays a frame 281 around the selected thumbnail.When another thumbnail 201 is selected, the display program 54F deletesthe frame from the deselected thumbnail 201.

[0292] The display program 54F varies the lightness, saturation or hueof a frame 281 in correspondence with the lapse of time. FIG. 52 showsone example of a change in the lightness or saturation of the frame 281.

[0293] For example, the display program 54F varies the lightness orsaturation of 0% of the frame 281 linearly up to 100% in 0.5 second andthe lightness or saturation of 100% of the frame 281 linearly to 0% in0.5 second, repeating this change.

[0294] The process of varying the lightness of the frame 281 requiresless computation than that of the process of varying saturation or hue.

[0295]FIG. 53 shows one example of varying the hue of the frame 281 incorrespondence with the lapse of time.

[0296] For example, the display program 54F varies the hue of the frame281 corresponding to 0 degree of hue circle linearly up to 360 degreesin 1 second and returns the hue of the frame 281 which has reached 360degrees of hue circle to 0 degree, repeating this change.

[0297] Consequently, the display program 54F allows the user surelyrecognize a selected thumbnail 201 displayed on the screen containingthumbnails having various lightnesses, colors, and hues. The period ofthe variation of the lightness, saturation, and hue of the frame 281 isnot limited to 1 second; for example, the period may be set to any timebetween 0.1 second and 10 second for example as long as it isrecognizable by the user.

[0298]FIG. 54 illustrates the attributes for example of the datacorresponding to the selected thumbnail 201. When a thumbnail 201 isselected, the display program 54F displays a frame 281 and, if apredetermined time has passed with the touch pad 6 for example notoperated, displays, on an additional attribute display 291, suchattributes as file name, data title, data size, and reproduction time ofthe file of the data corresponding to the thumbnail 201.

[0299] When the thumbnail 201 is not selected, the display program 54Fdeletes the frame 281 and the additional attribute display 291 of thatthumbnail 201.

[0300] For example, as shown in FIG. 55, if 1 second has passed afterthe selection of the thumbnail 201, the display program 54F displays onthe additional attribute display 291 the file name, icon indicative ofstill or moving image, data size, and date. In the example shown in FIG.55, the additional attribute display 291 has a transparent frame and atransparent background in order to allow the user to visually recognizeother not selected thumbnails 201.

[0301] The following describes a full screen display mode for displayinga full screen on the LCD 7. After startup, the display program 54Fdisplays thumbnails 201 and others in a predetermined range in thedisplay area of the LCD 7.

[0302] When a predetermined icon or a predetermined key of the keyboard5 is operated, the display program 54F displays thumbnails 201 andothers in all display area of the screen of the LCD 7 as shown in FIG.57. With the entire display area of the screen of the LCD 7 displayedwith images by the display program 54F, the personal computer 1 acceptsan operation of the jog dial 4, the touch pad 6, or the keyboard 5 as aninput made to the display program, except for the combined operations ofspecific keys.

[0303] When the thumbnails 201 and others are displayed in thepredetermined range of the display area of the screen on the LCD 7,operating an icon 301 shown in FIG. 58 causes the display program 54F todisplay the thumbnails 201 and others in all of the display area of thescreen on the LCD 7. When the thumbnails 201 and others are displayed inall of the display area of the screen on the LCD 7, operating the icon301 shown in FIG. 58 causes the display program 54F to display thethumbnails 201 and others in a predetermined range of the display areaof the screen on the LCD 7.

[0304] When the thumbnails 201 and others are displayed in all of thedisplay area of the screen on the LCD 7, clicking an icon 311 shown inFIG. 59 causes the display program 54F to display the thumbnails 201 andothers in a predetermined range of the display area of the screen on theLCD 7 and start another application program corresponding to the icon311.

[0305] Thus, when the user operates the icon 301 or a predetermined keyof the keyboard 5, the display program 54F can display thumbnails 201and others in all of the display area of the screen on the LCD 7. Whenthumbnails 201 and others are displayed in all of the display area ofthe screen on the LCD 7, the display program 54F can directly startupanother application program in response to the operation of the icon311. Displaying thumbnails 201 and others on all of the screen of theLCD 7 can prevent such erroneous operations by the user as operatingother application programs for example.

[0306] If the application program corresponding to the icon 311 has beenstarted up, the user is wanting to link the display program 54F with theapplication program in many cases, so that the display program 54Fautomatically displays thumbnails 201 and others in a predeterminedrange of the display area of the screen on the LCD 7. Consequently, theuser can efficiently manipulate the display program 54F and theapplication program.

[0307] The following describes the processing of the display program 54Fand the reading program 54G to be executed by the CPU 51.

[0308]FIG. 60 is a flowchart describing the content reading processingto be executed by the display program 54F and the reading program 54G.In step S11, the reading program 54G reads the number of content itemsstored in the memory stick 116, via the memory stick interface 114. Thereading program 54G supplies the number of content items stored in thememory stick 116 to the display program 54F.

[0309] In step S12, the reading program 54G sequentially reads the itemsof content from the memory stick 116 via the memory stick interface 114and supplies the read items of content to the display program 54F. Thecontent reading process by the reading program 54G from the memory stick116 is executed concurrently with the following processing.

[0310] In step S13, the processing manager 151 of the display program54F obtains the number of content items read by the reading program 54Gon the basis of the data supplied from the reading program 54G. In stepS14, the processing manager 151 of the display program 54F specifies thefirst item of content read by the reading program 54G.

[0311] In step S15, the processing manager 151 of the display program54F computes a position at which the thumbnail 201 corresponding to thecontent is displayed. In step S16, the content processing routine 152 ofthe display program 54F generates a thumbnail 201 for the read content.In step S17, the content processing routine 152 of the display program54F displays the thumbnail 201 at the position computed by theprocessing manager 151. If the position at which the thumbnail 201 is tobe displayed is outside the display area of the LCD 7, the contentprocessing routine 152 does not display the thumbnail 201.

[0312] In step S18, the display program 54F checks whether allthumbnails for all items of content which have been read are generatedor not. If all the thumbnails 201 corresponding to all items of contentare not generated, then the procedure goes to step S19, in which theprocessing manager 151 of the display program 54F specifies the nextitem of content read by the reading program 54F.

[0313] In step S20, the processing manager 151 of the display program54F obtains the number of content items read by the reading program 54Gon the basis of the data supplied from the reading program 54G and thenthe procedure returns to step S15 to repeat the above-mentionedprocessing of generating thumbnails 201.

[0314] If, in step S18, all thumbnails 201 corresponding to all items ofcontent read have been generated, then the procedure goes to step S21,in which the display program 54F determines whether all content itemsstored in the memory stick 116 have been read. If all content itemsstored in the memory stick 116 have not been read, then the procedurereturns to step S12 to repeat the content reading process.

[0315] If, in step S21, all content items stored in the memory stick 116have been read, then the thumbnails 201 corresponding to these contentitems are generated, upon which the generation process comes to an end.

[0316] Thus, the display program 54F and the reading program 54G cansequentially read the content items from the memory stick 116 andgenerates the thumbnails 201 corresponding to these content items,displaying the generated thumbnails 201 on the LCD 7.

[0317] The following describes the voice data display processing to beexecuted by the display program 54F, with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 61. In step S31, the display program 54F divides thethumbnail 201 having a predetermined size into a predetermined number ofareas in accordance with the size of voice data. If the voice data islarge, the display program 54F increases the number of divisions of thethumbnail 201; if the voice data is small, the display program 54Fdecreases the number of divisions of the voice data.

[0318] In step S32, the display program 54F extracts the data of apredetermined length corresponding to the division number (the number ofareas) of the thumbnail 201 from the voice data. In step S33, thedisplay program 54F converts the extracted data into RGB data (thenumber of pieces of the RGB data which is equal to the number of areas)by the processing described with reference to FIG. 11. In step S34, thedisplay program 54F sets, one to one, the resultant RGB data pieces tothe thumbnail 201 areas generated by the division.

[0319] In step S35, the display program 54F performs a blur operation (ablur process) on the thumbnail 201. In step S36, the display program 54Fwrites text indicative of voice data attributes for example at apredetermined position in the thumbnail 201, upon which the processingcomes to an end.

[0320] Thus, the display program 54F can create the thumbnail 201 of thevoice data in correspondence with its size. In the same manner, thedisplay program 54F creates a thumbnail 201 corresponding to text datafor example.

[0321] The following describes the line view display processing to beexecuted by the display program 54F, with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 62. In step S51, the display program 54F determines thenumber of axes 221. For example, when displaying only the thumbnail 201,the display program 54F uses only 1 axis 221; when displaying athumbnail 201 and the text 211, the display program 54F uses 2 axes 221.

[0322] In step S52, the display program 54F determines the orientationof the axis 221 from the equation (1) or (2). In step S53, the displayprogram 54F determines a display position of the thumbnail 201 on thebasis of the axis 221.

[0323] In step S54, the display program 54F determines whether todisplay the text 211 corresponding to the content. If the text 211corresponding to the content is to be displayed, then, in step S55, thedisplay program 54F determines the arrangement of the text 211 on thebasis of the axis 221. In step S56, the display program 54F displays thetext 211 at the position defined by the process of step S55 and then theprocedure goes to step S57.

[0324] If, in step S54, the text 211 corresponding to the content is notbe displayed, the process for displaying the text 211 is not required,so that the processes in steps S55 and S56 are skipped, the proceduregoing to step S57.

[0325] In step S57, the display program 54F displays the thumbnail 201at the position defined by the process of step S53 and the procedurereturns to step S52 to repeat the display processing.

[0326] Thus, the display program 54F displays the thumbnail 201 and thetext 211 on the basis of the open axes 221 such as line or curve.

[0327] The following describes the loop view display processing to beexecuted by the display program 54F, with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 63. In step S71, the display program 54F determines thenumber of axes 241. For example, when displaying only a thumbnail 201,the number of axes 241 is set to 1; when displaying a thumbnail 201 anda text 211, the number of axes 241 is set to 2.

[0328] In step S72, the display program 54F determines the shape of theaxis 241. In step S73, the display program 54F determines the displayposition of the thumbnail 201 from equation (6) on the basis of the axis241, for example.

[0329] In step S74, the display program 54F determines whether todisplay a text 211 corresponding to the content. If the text 211corresponding to the content is to be displayed, the procedure goes tostep S75, in which the arrangement of the text 211 is defined on thebasis of the axis 241. In step S76, the display program 54F displays thetext 211 at the position defined by the process of step S75 and theprocedure goes to step S77.

[0330] If, in step S74, the text 211 corresponding to the content is notto be displayed, the process of displaying the text 211 is not required,so that the processes of steps S75 and S76 are skipped and the proceduregoes to step S77.

[0331] In step S77, the display program 54F displays the thumbnail 201at the position defined by the process of step S73 and the procedurereturns to step S73 to repeat the display processing.

[0332] Thus, the display program 54F displays the thumbnail 201 and thetext 211 on the basis of the axes 221 in an enclosed shape such as acircle or an ellipse.

[0333] The following describes the spiral view display processing to beexecuted by the display program 54F, with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 64. In step S91, the display program 54F determines thenumber of axes 261. For example, when displaying only a thumbnail 201,the number of axes 261 is set to 1; when displaying a thumbnail 201 anda text 211, the number of axes 261 is set to 2.

[0334] In step S92, the display program 54F determines whether the jogdial 4, the keyboard 5, or the touch pad 6 has been operated to select athumbnail 201. If the selection of a thumbnail 201 has not been made,the procedure goes to step S93, in which the display program 54F sets aspiral having large radius r, upon which the procedure goes to step S95.

[0335] If, in step S92, the selection of a thumbnail 201 has been made,then the procedure goes to step S94, in which the display program 54Fsets a spiral having smaller radius r to the axis 261 in accordance withthe selection frequency per unit time, upon which the procedure goes tostep S95.

[0336] In step S95, the display program 54F determines the displayposition of the thumbnail 201 from equations (11), (12), and (13) forexample on the basis of the axis 261.

[0337] In step S96, the display program 54F determines whether todisplay the text 211 corresponding to a specific piece of content. Ifthe text 211 corresponding to the content is to be displayed, then theprocedure goes to step S97 to determine the arrangement of the text 211on the basis of the axis 261. In step S98, the display program 54Fdisplays the text 211 at the positioned defined by the process of stepS97 and the procedure goes to step S99.

[0338] If, in step S96, the text 211 corresponding to the content is notto be displayed, the process of displaying the text 211 is not requiredand therefore the processes of steps S97 and S98 are skipped, theprocedure going to step S99.

[0339] In step S99, the display program 54F displays the thumbnail 201at the position defined by the process of step S95, upon which theprocedure returns to step S92 to repeat the display processing.

[0340] Thus, the display program 54F displays the thumbnail 201 and thetext 211 on the basis of the axis 261 of the spiral. If the selection ofthe thumbnail 201 is found, the display program 54F displays thethumbnail 201 and the text 211 on the basis of the axis 261 of thespiral having small radius r.

[0341] The following describes the movement of an icon 202 to beexecuted by the display program 54F, with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 65. In step S111, the processing manager 151 of thedisplay program 54F determines which of the icons 202 has been clickedon the basis of the input supplied from the touch pad 6. If none of theicons 202 has been clicked, the procedure returns to step S111, in whichthe processing manager 151 repeats the determination until one of theicons 202 is clicked.

[0342] If, in step S111, if one of the icons 202 is found clicked, thenthe procedure goes to step S112, in which the processing manager 151 ofthe display program 54F computes the final display position of theclicked icon 202.

[0343] In step S113, the processing manager 151 of the display program54F computes the display position of each icon 202 on the basis of thefinal display position obtained by the process of step S112 and anelapsed time after the clicking. In step S114, the content processingroutine 152 of the display program 54F displays the icon 202 at theposition obtained by the process of step S113.

[0344] The display processing of the icon 202 in step S114 is performedat a period set by the processing manager 151. The period of the displayprocessing of the icon 202 is appropriately selected so that the icon202 is displayed as if it is moving.

[0345] In step S115, the processing manager 151 of the display program54F determines whether each icon 202 has been displayed at the finaldisplay position. If each icon 202 has not been displayed at the finaldisplay position, the procedure returns to step S113 to repeat the icondisplay processing.

[0346] If, in step S115, each icon 202 has been displayed at the finaldisplay position, the procedure returns to step S111 to repeat theprocessing from the determination of whether the icon 202 has beenclicked or not.

[0347] Thus, the display program 54F can display the movement of theicon 202 at a predetermined speed when it is clicked.

[0348] The following describes the after-image display processing to beexecuted by the display program 54F, with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 66. In step S131, the display program 54F draws an alreadydrawn image by reducing its lightness (for example, to 80%).

[0349] In step S132, the display program 54F draws a new image over theimage processed in step S131 and then the procedure returns to stepsS131 to repeat the draw processing.

[0350] Thus, the display program 54F draws a new image over thepreceding image, with gradually reducing lightness of the precedingimage, so that the after-image can be displayed with ease.

[0351] The following describes the status transition processing to beexecuted by the display program 54F, with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 67. In step S151, the display program 54F records theoriginal state such as the current display position of a thumbnail 201or an icon 202 from which transition takes place. In step S152, thedisplay program 54F determines such a state of the destination of thetransition as the display position of the thumbnail 201 or the icon 202.

[0352] In step S153, the display program 54F obtains the importance oftransition. For example, the importance of transition is determined foreach specific transition and the determined importance is stored in thedisplay program 54F. In step S154, the display program 54F determines atransition function on the basis of the importance of transition. Forexample, when the transition is much important, the display program 54Fselects a transition function which slows the status transition; whenthe transition is less important, the display program 54F selects atransition function which speeds up the status transition.

[0353] In step S155, the display program 54F computes a next state incorrespondence with an elapsed time on the basis of the selectedtransition function. In step S156, the display program 54F moves to thestate obtained in step S155. For example, the display program 54Fcomputes the position of the thumbnail 201 or the icon 202 correspondingto the elapsed time in step S155 and displays the thumbnail 201 or theicon 202 at the obtained position in step S156.

[0354] In step S157, the display program 54F determines whether tochange the state to which the transition is made, on the basis of asignal from the jog dial 4, the touch pad 6, or the keyboard 5. If thedestination state is not to be changed, the procedure goes to step S158.

[0355] If, in step S157, the destination state is to be changed, thenthe procedure goes to step S159, in which the current state is set tothe initial state before the transition. In step S160, the displayprogram 54F determines such a destination state as the display positionof the thumbnail 201 or the icon 202.

[0356] In step S161, the display program 54F obtains a new transitionimportance. In step S162, the display program 54F determines atransition function on the basis of the new transition importance.

[0357] In step S158, the display program 54F compares the current statewith the destination state to determine whether the destination statehas been reached or not. If the destination state has not been reached,the procedure returns to step S155 to repeat the processing from thecomputation of a next state.

[0358] If, in step S158, the destination state has been reached, thestatus transition processing comes to an end.

[0359] Thus, the display program 54F changes display states for exampleon the basis of transition functions and, if a request comes midwayduring a transition, moves from that state to the requested state. Asdescribed, the display program 54F selects a transition function on thebasis of the importance of transition, so that, for a much importanttransition, it takes place comparatively slowly to enable the user tosurely recognize the transition and, for a less important transition, ittakes quickly.

[0360] The following describes the enlarged display processing to beexecuted by the display program 54F, with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 68. In step S181, the display program 54F determines, onthe basis of a signal supplied from the touch pad 6, whether a thumbnail201 has been clicked or not. If a thumbnail 201 is found not clicked,the procedure returns to step S181 to repeat the determination.

[0361] If, in step S181, a thumbnail 201 is found clicked, then theprocedure goes to step S182, in which the display program 54F determineswhether the clicked thumbnail 201 is at the center of the window.

[0362] If, in step S182, the clicked thumbnail 201 is not at the centerof the window, then the procedure goes to step S183, in which thedisplay program 54F changes the display so that the clicked thumbnail201 comes to the center of the window, upon which the procedure returnsto step S181 to repeat the above-mentioned processing.

[0363] If, in step S182, the clicked thumbnail 201 is found at thecenter of the window, then the procedure goes to step S184, in which thedisplay program 54F displays the clicked thumbnail 201 in the enlargedmode (if the thumbnail 201 corresponds to still image data, thethumbnail is displayed with its original size, if the thumbnail 201corresponds to moving image data, a moving image is generated, and ifthe thumbnail 201 corresponds to voice data, a voice is reproduced),then the procedure returns to step S181 to repeat the above-mentionedprocessing.

[0364] Thus, when a thumbnail 201 is clicked, the display program 54Fdisplays the clicked thumbnail 201 at the center or in the enlargedmode, so that the user can quickly know the thumbnail 201 and thecontents of the data corresponding to the thumbnail 201 with a simpleoperation.

[0365] The following describes the processing of displaying a frame 281to be executed by the content processing routine 152 of the displayprogram 54F, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 69. In stepS201, the content processing routine 152 determines whether thethumbnail 201 displayed by the content processing routine 152 isselected or not. If the thumbnail 201 displayed by the contentprocessing routine 152 is found not selected, the procedure returns tostep S201 to repeat the determination until that thumbnail 201 displayedis selected.

[0366] If, in step S201, that thumbnail 201 is found selected, then theprocedure goes to step S202, in which the content processing routine 152starts counting an elapsed time. The elapsed time counting is continuedin the following processing.

[0367] In step S203, the content processing routine 152 determines alightness variation function as shown in the example of FIG. 52 forexample. In step S204, the content processing routine 152 computes thelightness of the frame 281 on the basis of the elapsed time. In stepS205, the content processing routine 152 displays the frame 281 havingthe lightness computed in step S204.

[0368] In step S206, the content processing routine 152 determineswhether the thumbnail 201 displayed by the content processing routine152 is selected or not. If the thumbnail 201 shown by the contentprocessing routine 152 is found selected, the procedure goes to stepS204 to repeat the processing of displaying the frame 281.

[0369] If, in step S206, the thumbnail 201 displayed by the contentprocessing routine 152 is found not selected, then the procedure goes tostep S207, in which the content processing routine 152 deletes the frame281. Then the procedure returns to step S201 to repeat the processing ofdisplaying the frame 281.

[0370] Thus, the display program 54F can display the frame 281 with itslightness periodically varied onto the selected thumbnail 201. In thelike processing, the display program 54F can display the frame 281 withits saturation or hue periodically varied onto the selected thumbnail201.

[0371] The following describes the processing of displaying anadditional attribute display 291 to be executed by the contentprocessing routine 152 of the display program 54F, with reference to theflowchart shown in FIG. 70. In step S221, the display program 54Fdetermines, on the basis of a signal coming from the jog dial 4, thetouch pad 6, or the keyboard 5 whether a display change command has beeninputted or not. If the display change command is not found inputted,the procedure goes to step S222, in which the content processing routine152 determines whether the thumbnail displayed by the content processingroutine 152 is selected or not.

[0372] If, in step S222, the thumbnail 201 shown by the contentprocessing routine 152 is found selected, then the procedure goes tostep S223, in which the content processing routine 152 determineswhether a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) has passed sincethe selection of the thumbnail 201.

[0373] If, in step S223, the predetermined time is found passed, thenthe procedure goes to step S224, the content processing routine 152displays the additional attribute display 291 having a semitransparentframe and background including corresponding text onto the thumbnail201, upon which the procedure returns to step S221 to repeat theabove-mentioned processing.

[0374] If, in step S221, a display change command is found inputted, itindicates that a process such as movement of the thumbnail 201 has beenexecuted, so that the procedure goes to step S225, in which the contentprocessing routine 152 deletes the additional attribute display 291corresponding to the thumbnail 201, upon which the procedure returns tostep S221 to repeat the above-mentioned processing.

[0375] If, in step S222, the thumbnail 201 displayed by the contentprocessing routine 152 is not found selected, it indicates that theadditional attribute display 291 need not be displayed. The proceduregoes to step S225, in which the content processing routine 152 deletesthe additional attribute display 291 corresponding to the thumbnail 201,upon which the procedure returns to step S221 to repeat theabove-mentioned processing.

[0376] If, in step S223, the predetermined time is found not passed,then the procedure goes to step S225, in which the content processingroutine 152 deletes the additional attribute display 291 correspondingto the thumbnail 201, upon which the procedure returns to step S221 torepeat the same processing.

[0377] Thus, after the selection of the thumbnail 201 and the passing ofa predetermined time, the display program 54F displays the additionalattribute display 291 corresponding to the selected thumbnail 201,thereby enabling high-speed display variation without intervening anoperation by the user.

[0378] Because the frame and background of the additional attributedisplay 291 to be displayed by the display program 54F aresemitransparent, the user can check the thumbnails 201 and othersarranged under (in the depth of screen) the additional attribute display291.

[0379] The following describes the processing of selecting a firstdisplay mode for displaying thumbnails 201 and others in a predeterminedarea of the display screen on the LCD 7 and a second display mode fordisplaying thumbnails 201 and others all over the display screen of theLCD 7, which are executed by the display program 54F, with reference tothe flowchart shown in FIG. 71. In step S251, the display program 54Fsets the first display mode (displaying a thumbnail 201 and others in apredetermined area on the display screen on the LCD 7) for displayingthe frame of a predetermined area.

[0380] In step S252, the display program 54F determines whether anotherapplication program has been started. If another application is foundstarted, the first display mode is selected and therefore the procedurereturns to step S252 without changing the display mode, repeating theabove-mentioned processing.

[0381] If, in step S252, another application program is found notstarted, then the procedure goes to step S253, in which the displayprogram 54F determines, on the basis of a signal supplied from the jogdial 4, the touch pad 6, or the keyboard 5, whether a display modechange command has been inputted or not.

[0382] If, in step S253, a display mode change command is not foundinputted, it indicates that the display mode need not be changed, sothat the procedure returns to step S252 to repeat the above-mentionedprocessing.

[0383] If, in step S253, a display mode change command is foundinputted, then the procedure goes to step S254, in which the displayprogram 54F sets the second display mode which displays thumbnails 201and others all over the display screen of the LCD 7.

[0384] In step S255, the display program 54F determines whether anotherapplication program has been started or not. If another applicationprogram is found not started, then the procedure goes to step S256 todetermine, on the basis of a signal supplied from the jog dial 4, thetouch pad 6, or the keyboard 5, whether a display mode change commandhas been inputted or not.

[0385] If, in step S256, a display mode change command is not foundinputted, it indicates that the display mode need not be changed, sothat the procedure returns to step S255 to repeat the determinationprocess.

[0386] If, in step S256, a display mode change command is foundinputted, then the procedure returns to step S251, in which the displayprogram 54F sets the first display mode to repeat the above-mentionedprocessing.

[0387] If, in step S255, another application program is found started,it indicates that the first display mode is to be set, so that theprocedure returns to step S251, in which the display program 54F setsthe first display mode to repeat the processing.

[0388] Thus, the display program 54F switches between the first andsecond display modes in accordance with the inputted display mode changecommand and, when another application program is started, changes thedisplay mode to the first display mode.

[0389] The above-mentioned sequence of processes can be executed byhardware or software. If the sequence of processes is executed bysoftware, the programs constituting the software are installed from aprogram storage medium, to a computer which is embedded in a dedicatedhardware device beforehand or a computer, such as a general-purposepersonal computer, capable of executing various capabilities in whichvarious programs are installed.

[0390] The program storage medium, which is installed in a computer, forstoring computer-readable and executable programs may be a packagemedium constituted by the magnetic disk 121 (including floppy disk), theoptical disc 122 (including CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) andDVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), the magneto-optical disk 123 (includingMD (Mini Disk)), or the semiconductor memory 124, or the ROM or the HDD67 on which the programs are stored temporarily or permanently as shownin FIG. 5. Programs are stored in the program storage medium from wiredor wireless communications media such as a local area network, theInternet, and digital satellite broadcasting through the interface suchas a router and the modem 75 as required.

[0391] It should be noted that the steps describing the programs to bestored in the program storage medium are not only executed in atime-series manner in the order described, but also in parallel or in adiscrete manner.

[0392] It should also be noted that the system as used herein denotes anentire apparatus constituted by a plurality of component units.

[0393] In the information processing apparatus, the informationprocessing method, and the program storage medium, a thumbnail-area isdivided in accordance with particular data, the number of pixel valuesequal to the number of divided areas is created, the created pixelsvalues are set to the divided thumbnails, and the thumbnail with thepixel values set is displayed. Consequently, by displaying thumbnailscorresponding to data not including images, both the data including andnot including images can be handled collectively.

[0394] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been describedusing specific terms, such description is for illustrative only, and itis to be understood that changes and variations may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising:detection means for detecting a first operation; computation means forcomputing, when said detection means has detected said first operation,a ratio of movement of a displayed image to a distance from a currentposition of an image to a first destination specified by said firstoperation by applying, every predetermined period, a transition functionto an elapsed time from the detection of said first operation;specification means for specifying a display position of said imagetoward said first destination on the basis of said ratio of movement ofsaid image computed by said computation means; and display control meansfor controlling the display of said image so that said image isdisplayed, every predetermined period, at a position specified by saidspecification means.
 2. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein, if a second operation is detected by said detectionmeans while said image is moving to said first destination, saidcomputation means applies, every predetermined period, a transitionfunction to an elapsed time from the detection of said second operationto compute a ratio of the movement of said image to a distance from amoving position of said image at which said second operation has beendetected to a second destination specified by said second operation; andif said second operation is detected by the detection means while saidimage is moving to said first destination, said specification meansspecifies a display position of said image toward said seconddestination on the basis of said ratio of movement of said imagecomputed by said computation means.
 3. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1 wherein said transition function isdefined so that a travel distance per unit time decreases with time. 4.The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein saidtransition function is defined so that a travel distance per unit timedecreases with time.
 5. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 3 wherein said transition function is variable depending on apredetermined condition.
 6. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 4 wherein said transition function is variabledepending on a predetermined condition.
 7. The information processingapparatus according to claim 5 wherein said predetermined condition isdetermined by the degrees of importance of a displayed object.
 8. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein saidpredetermined condition is determined by the degrees of importance of adisplayed object.
 9. The information processing method comprising thesteps of: detecting an operation; computing, when said operation hasbeen detected in said detecting step, a ratio of movement of a displayedimage to a distance from a current position of a image to destinationspecified by said operation, by applying, every predetermined period, atransition function to an elapsed time from the detection of saidoperation; specifying a display position of said image toward saiddestination on the basis of said ratio of movement of said imagecomputed in said computation step; and controlling the display of saidimage so that said image is displayed, every predetermined period, at aposition specified in said specification step.
 10. An informationprocessing method according to claim 9 wherein said transition functionis defined so that a travel distance per unit time decreases with time.11. The information processing method according to claim 10 wherein saidtransition function is variable depending on a predetermined condition.12. The information processing method according to claim 11 wherein saidpredetermined condition is determined by the degrees of importance of adisplayed object.
 13. A program storage medium storing acomputer-readable program comprising the steps of: detecting anoperation; computing, when said operation has been detected, a ratio ofmovement of a displayed image to a distance from a current position ofsaid image to destination specified by said operation by applying, everypredetermined period, a transition function to an elapsed time from thedetection of said operation; specifying a display position of said imagetoward said destination on the basis of said ratio of movement of saidimage computed in said computation step; and controlling the display ofsaid image so that said image is displayed, every predetermined period,at a position specified in said specification step.
 14. A programstorage medium storing a computer-readable program according to claim 13wherein said transition function is defined so that a travel distanceper unit time decreases with time.
 15. A program storage medium storinga computer-readable program according to claim 14 wherein saidtransition function is variable depending on a predetermined condition.16. A program storage medium storing a computer-readable programaccording to claim 15 wherein said predetermined condition is determinedby the degrees of importance of a displayed object.
 17. Acomputer-readable program comprising the steps of: detecting anoperation; computing, when the operation has been detected in thedetecting step, a ratio of movement of a displayed image to a distancefrom a current position of a image to destination specified by theoperation, by applying, every predetermined period, a transitionfunction to an elapsed time from the detection of the operation;specifying a display position of said image toward said destination onthe basis of said ratio of movement of said image computed in saidcomputation step; and controlling the display of said image so that saidimage is displayed, every predetermined period, at a position specifiedin said specification step.
 18. A computer-readable program according toclaim 17 wherein said transition function is defined so that a traveldistance per unit time decreases with time.
 19. A computer-readableprogram according to claim 18 wherein said transition function isvariable depending on a predetermined condition.
 20. A computer-readableprogram according to claim 19 wherein said predetermined condition isdetermined by the degrees of importance of a displayed object.